Product Launch Delays Continue to Impact Automotive and Technology Programs A recent Gartner study noted that nearly half of product launches experience delays of at least one month. That statistic should surprise nobody working in modern vehicle development, software-defined systems, or complex manufacturing programs. The causes of Product Launch Delays are often deeper than scheduling […]
How to Use AI in Business Processes for Faster Quoting, Smarter Design, and Improved Manufacturing Quality Artificial intelligence is no longer experimental—it is becoming essential for companies looking to improve speed, accuracy, and decision-making. The real opportunity lies in applying AI business processes across the value chain, particularly in quoting, design exploration, material substitution, and […]
The Fates and Project Management: Understanding Control and Uncertainty In Greek mythology, the Fates—Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos—govern the thread of life. This powerful metaphor offers a compelling way to understand Fates project management in today’s unpredictable project environments. Despite detailed plans and structured methodologies, projects rarely unfold exactly as intended. Like the Fates, project managers […]
Employee Engagement Trends and Strategies for High-Performing Teams Employee engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it is a business imperative. Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workplace report reveals a troubling trend: global engagement has dropped to around 20–21%, one of the lowest levels since 2020. I have been watching this for many years now, always […]
Introduction – Delays Are a Symptom, Not the Problem “Engineering needs three more weeks.” This post was prompted by a LinkedIn post Prevent Delays with CM2. This statement has become normalized across industries, yet it signals something deeper than scheduling inefficiency. Configuration Management Delays are not caused by lack of effort, poor planning, or even […]
The global conversation about why projects fail often centers on methodology, certification, or process discipline. Yet despite decades of frameworks, certifications, and governance models, project failure rates still hover between 70% and 88% across industries. This post is in response to a LinkedIn post from Michael Kaplan. The problem is not always a lack of project […]
Modern products are rarely single, fixed configurations. Instead, they exist as families of variants designed to meet different customer needs, regulatory requirements, and operational environments. Managing this complexity requires a disciplined approach to product structure, configuration management, and verification. One of the most important concepts supporting this effort is the 150% eBOM. That leads to […]
In many organizations, teams face a subtle but dangerous behavior known as product development chicken. This occurs when individuals delay communicating problems or risks, hoping that someone else’s issue will surface first. Instead of addressing challenges early, teams wait until the project is already in trouble. The result is predictable: missed deadlines, increased costs, and […]
Why Test Failures Occur in Software Testing In software development and system engineering, test failures are often interpreted as evidence that the product contains defects. However, experienced engineers know that test failures can originate from multiple sources across the development lifecycle, not just the code itself. This post originated from a read of a LinkedIn […]
Risk Sensitivity Balance in Product Development and Manufacturing: Calculated Risks in a Technology-Driven World In today’s hypercompetitive environment, product development and manufacturing risk management have become strategic differentiators. Organizations that master risk sensitivity balance outperform those that either recklessly gamble or cautiously stall innovation. I have spoken and taught on risk management. Whenever risk comes […]